Irrigation ditcher



Dec. 11 1923. 1,477,033

R CH 'TTlN IRRIGATION DITCHER 2 2 Q 2 S h e e t S S h e e t1 ATTORNEYS Dec. 11 1923.

R. C. CHATTIN IRRIGATION DITCHER Filed N 27. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR R-QSQNiiQ-m WM (6 A TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES ROBERT C. CHATTIN, OF IMOIZTNTAIIET HOME, IDAHO.

- mnrea'rron DITCHER.

Application filed November 27, 1822. Serial No. 603,688.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. GHATTIN, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof Mountain Home, in the county of Elmore and State of Idaho, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Irrigation Ditchers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in irrigation ditchers, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a device which is most efficient in the con struction of ditches having round bottoms, with means for removing the dirt from the bottom and depositing it on both sides of the ditch at the same time.

A further object of my invention is to provide a ditch making device of the type described, which is adjustable so as to provide for ditches of varying depths and widths.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described, in which all of the cutting edges are selfsharpened by use.

A further object is to provide a ditcher which may be easily transported on its own wheels.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device,

Figure 3 is a rear view,

Figure 4 is a view showing the ditcher in reverse position ready for transportation, and

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

In carrying out my invention, I provide an arc-shaped nose 6, the bottom edge of which is rounded, as shown at 6, similar to a shovel, and is bent out slightly. This nose constitutes, in fact, the plow member for plowing the ditch.

On each side of the nose are wings, such as those shown at 7 and 8. These wings are also bent outward slightly at the base, similar to the outward bend of the nose. The surfaces of the wings are warped, that is I to say, they are increasingly concaved toward the rear ends, giving them the appearance and the working effect of a pair .is designed to engage the ground as the ditcher is drawn along. The rear end of the guide member 15 is adjustable. In Figure 3 it will be noted that there are diagonally extending brace members 16 which are secured by other brace members 17 to the transverse bar 10. The guide member 15 has an extension 18 which is provided with openings arranged to register with similar openings in. the downwardly turned ends 16 of the inclined braces 16. This permits the guide member 15 to be adjusted to various inclinations with respect to the nose and the wings. A bolt or pin 19 may be used to secure the guide member 15 in its adjusted position.

Near the forward end of the wings is a transverse bar 20 which braces the wings at this point. Disposed on the bars 20 and 10 is a plank 21 which serves several purposes, as will be seen later.

Secured to the nose is a draw bar 22 which is provided with holes 23 by means of which the clevis 2 1 may be shifted to different positions of attachment.

From the foregoing des ription of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. In making a ditch, the operator grasps the plank 21 and guides the nose into the proper line for excavating. As the devi e is drawn along. the nose plows up the dirt, which then is met by the curved wings and is thrown to each side. The plank 21 serves as a seat for the driver. so that in case a rock or obstacle is encountered by the nose, the machine is not turned over. The adjustment of the guide member is for the purpose of regulating the width and depth of the ditch. By raising the adjustment, the ditch can be made deep and wide, or a, narrow ditch and one smaller than the capacity of the machine can be made in this adjustment. .Lowering the adjustment makes a I shallower but Wide ditch, and is also best .a greater amount of dirt, so that the amount of dirt delivered to either side of the ditch may be regulated at will.

WVhen it is desired to transport the dit'cher fromone-place to: another, it:is inverte'd, as shown in F lgure l, thewheels 1.3 comingin contact with the ground, when it ma be drawn'alongwithout tearing up or deiaclng the roadway. This renders the transportation or: movement or the machlne from: one I place to another :very; simple, and at the same-time, aszstated above, it prevents any injury to the roadway.

1. A ditcher comprising an arc-shaped nose having a rounded bottom, curved wings secured to SELlCl IlOSQ: and extendmgoutwardly 25' to, the arose in the rear concave portion and rearwardly, a guide member hinged thereof, a cross member secured to the upper edges of the wings near the point at which the wings are connected to the nose, at second cross member secured to said wings near their upper edgesand at a point near their rear ends, a plank secured to said. cross members centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device, said plank extending rearwardly of the device to form a seat, and means rigidly connected to said plank for .adjustablyspacing said cross member from said plank.

2. A ditcher comprising an arc-shaped nose having a rounded'bottom, side wings secured to said nose and extending ourwardly and -rearward1y,-said side wings being progressively curved toward the rear,

means fol-securing the side wings together, a guidemember pivoted to said nose and.

:disposed centrally withrespect to the side wings, meansfor permitting a verticaladustmcnt of said guide member, and wheels carried by saids dewings on their upper edges, whereby the ditcher may be inverted I and maybe transported on said wheels.

ROBERT C. CHATTIN. 

